Tag Archives: GE

GE Digital to unlock and leverage machine data with new IIoT division

GE has announced plans to establish a new, independent company focused on building a comprehensive Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software portfolio.

The company, GE Digital, has a head start with $1.2 billion in annual software revenue already locked in, plus an existing global industrial customer base.

GE Digital is intended to be a GE wholly-owned, independently run business with a new brand and identity, its own equity structure, and its own Board of Directors, the company said. It plans to unlock machine data to turn valuable insights into powerful business outcomes, according to the company.

“The proposed new organisation aims to bring together GE Digital’s industry-leading IIoT solutions including the Predix platform, Asset Performance Management, Historian, Automation (HMI/SCADA), Manufacturing Execution Systems, Operations Performance Management, and the GE Power Digital and Grid Software Solutions businesses,” GE said.

In addition to this spinoff, GE announced an agreement to sell a majority stake in ServiceMax, a provider of field service management software, to Silver Lake, a private equity firm focused on technology investments.

“With these actions, GE will sharpen the focus of its IIoT portfolio to position the new business for future growth,” GE said, adding the transaction was expected to close in the March quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

GE Chairman and CEO Lawrence Culp Jr, said: “As an early leader in IIoT, GE has built a strong business with its industrial customers thanks to deep domain knowledge and software expertise.”

The IIoT is a nascent market but is expected to have significant growth, GE said.

“GE’s independent software business moves into the market with a strong position, building on the company’s experience and success developing solutions to drive the outcomes that matter most for asset-intensive industries,” it added.

GE’s new IIoT business would provide software for these asset intensive industries with a focus on the power, renewables, aviation, oil and gas, food and beverage, chemicals, consumer packaged goods and mining industries.

“These industries build on GE’s foundation and expertise as a leading MES provider for nearly 20 years. With an already thriving business in these areas, the new digital organisation is positioned to accelerate GE’s ability to deliver IIoT solutions that meet the needs of these industrial customers, addressing the most impactful aspects of the asset lifecycle,” the company said.

With GE Digital CEO, Bill Ruh, deciding to depart GE to pursue other opportunities, the company plans to conduct an internal and external search to identify the CEO for this new independent company.

GE Digital’s Predix portfolio – including the leading Asset Performance Management and Field Service Management applications, as well as Predix Private Cloud – helps customers manage the entire asset lifecycle.

Underpinned by Predix, the application development platform for the Industrial Internet, GE Digital enables industrial businesses to operate faster, smarter and more efficiently, wherever their operations require, the company said.

Automation leader Emerson acquires GE’s Intelligent Platforms division

Emerson has agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric, as it looks to expand its potential customer base in markets such as metals and mining.

“Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller (PLC) technologies will enable Emerson, a leader in automation for process and industrial applications, to provide its customers broader control and management of their operations,” Emerson said.

“The acquisition expands opportunities for Emerson in machine control and discrete applications across process industries and target hybrid markets, such as metals and mining, life sciences, food and beverage and packaging.

“By interfacing Intelligent Platforms’ PLC technology with Emerson’s leading distributed control systems, customers will be able to connect ‘islands of automation’ within the plant to further enhance operational performance, safety and reliability,” the company said.

Both Emerson and Intelligent Platforms focus on leveraging automation technologies to drive digital transformation in their end markets. Intelligent Platforms recently developed new cloud-connected controllers and devices to enable smarter plants, a strong complement to Emerson’s focus on digital transformation and the Industrial Internet of Things through its Plantweb™ digital ecosystem, according to Emerson.

Emerson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Farr said: “This is another important investment in our global portfolio of automation technologies, offering discrete and machine control capabilities that complement our process control expertise to provide better solutions to our customers.”

Intelligent Platforms is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with approximately 650 employees worldwide. In 2017, it registered sales of $210 million.

Lal Karsanbhai, Executive President of Emerson Automation Solutions, said Intelligent Platforms brings a “solid product portfolio” to serve Emersons’ target markets, along with a significant installed base.

“We are extremely pleased to have this unique opportunity to add a recognised discrete control capability to our growing portfolio of products and software applications that help our customers operate more safely and efficiently.”

Should all go well, the acquisition will close in the first half of Emerson’s fiscal 2019 year.

Emerson’s Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid, and discrete manufacturers maximise production, protect personnel and the environment while optimising energy and operating costs, Emerson said.

Late last year, Emerson pulled a $29 billion bid for Rockwell Automation after facing several rejections from the company. At that point, it said it would then pursue bolt-on acquisitions to increase its market share in the automation business.

And, in February this year, Emerson and AspenTech teamed up to deliver asset optimisation software solutions along with global automation technologies and operational consulting services.

Ma’aden looks for digital mining solutions with GE partnership

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and GE have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding that could see digital solutions installed across the mining company’s gold, copper, aluminium, and phosphate operations.

GE, as part of the pact, will provide Ma’aden with digital transformation advisory and applications, as well as leadership and training opportunities for its employees across Saudi Arabia.

Ma’aden has been pursuing a number of partnerships to “capture the opportunities found in digitisation and innovation”, and will invest in the application of pioneering technologies in its operations in Saudi Arabia “in order to remain ahead of the competition and reinforce the company as a global mining leader”, the company said.

GE’s digital mining solutions will look at specific areas of Ma’aden’s operations to improve ore grades, reduce fuel and energy costs and usage, improve equipment reliability and availability, cut maintenance costs, and boost productivity and efficiency across operations.

GE Mining’s Digital Mine is made up of technologies to help improve performance, reliability, and operations while promoting safer mining practices through intelligent, real-time monitoring across the mine.

“Powered by GE’s Predix platform, the only Industrial Internet platform built exclusively for industry, Digital Mine enables operators to make data-driven decisions that improve equipment reliability and optimise mine operations,” GE says.

Darren Davis (picture, left, signing the agreement), Ma’aden Acting President and CEO, said of the GE partnership: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has high aspirations for the deployment of new technology and the digitisation of industrial landscape in the country. Ma’aden is committed to championing the responsible development of the mining sector as a major pillar of the Saudi economy and digitalisation, as part of the fourth industrial revolution, will be key to ensuring we achieve our goal of becoming a ‘sustainable mining champion’.”

Davis added that the initiative with GE will unlock the next wave of significant value creation and increase the company’s competitiveness and sustainability.

Bill Ruh (pictured, right), President and CEO, GE Digital, said: “The scale and impact of organisations such as Ma’aden is enormous, and we know that the optimisation and increases in efficiency will have a major impact on the company and the country.”

Earlier this year, GE and South32 signed a three-year strategic partnership to help develop the mining company’s technology roadmap and digital transformation programme. GE is also working with Rio Tinto to optimise its Pilbara rail operations and Vedanta in South Africa on its Gamsberg digitisation programme.